Team Herald
PANJIM: Konkan Railway Corporation Limited’s (KRCL) ambitious skybus project, after lying in limbo for almost a decade, is finally being scrapped. However, KRC is open to introducing a ‘metro rail’ in Goa, only if the State government proposes it.
The skybus project, the first-of-its-kind in India, was a modified rail with overhead tracks on the underside of a concrete structure at a height of about 10 m from the ground. The experiment was started in 2003 and halted in 2004 following an accident killing one and injuring three others.
Addressing media persons on Wednesday, KRCL Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Sanjay Gupta said, “The project required huge investment of around Rs 100 to 150 crore and we were not sure whether the project would be commercially viable. After detailing out, we realized that it would not be wise to have a skybus project in the State.”
He said KRCL is no longer thinking of introducing any metro technology in the State but will focus on increasing the number of trains on its route.
Responding to a question, Gupta said it is for the State government to decide whether Goa should have a metro rail. “Metro rail system is an initiative of the State government. If the State comes up with the proposal and is willing to invest, then we are ready to have linkages within the cities,” he said.
Gupta said the Corporation has already placed a proposal before the government to have a linkage from Pernem taluka connecting the proposed international airport at Mopa.
Meanwhile, KRCL has proposed to set up a CONCOR (Container Corporation India Ltd) container depot at Bali, in Quepem taluka, at an estimated cost of Rs 30 crore.
“CONCOR will come up in Goa. We will set up a container depot which will be a loading and unloading point as well as storing station for containers,” Gupta said adding that the project will help the corporation to run at least one container train daily from Goa.
